Author. After being articled to a solictor in London he turned to jornalism, contributing to "Household Words and Chamber's Journal." In 1849 he married the daughter of Thomas Love Peacock but the marriage was not a success for she left him in 1858. In 1864 he married Marie Vulliamy and they lived at Flint Cottage in Surrey. His most famous novel was perhaps "Diana of the Crossways" which appeared in 1885 and brought him a popularity that his previous novels, including "The Ordeal of Richard Feverel," 1859, and "The Adventures of Harry Richmond," 1871, had not. He was also a considerable poet, publishing many volumes of verse. He was awarded the Order of Merit in 1905. He was buried in the picturesque Dorking Cemetery at Boxhill, Surrey, which his residence Flint Cottage overlooked. (bio by: s.canning)